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  Golf-sized space rock holds clues to evolution of life's building blocks

  August 22, 2020 22:54 IST

  A space rock the size of a golf ball contains microscopic clues that could offer a peek into the evolution of life's building blocks on Earth, NASA scientists have said.

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  NASA sets up board to review Mars sample return plans

  August 22, 2020 15:44 IST

  The ‘Mars Sample Return Programme Independent Review Board' will proactively assist the US space agency with analysis of current plans and goals for the mission.

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  Small air leak poses no threat to space station crew: NASA

  August 21, 2020 16:56 IST

  The orbiting laboratory's atmosphere is maintained at pressure comfortable for the crew members, and a tiny bit of that air leaks over time, requiring routine repressurisation from nitrogen tanks delivered on cargo resupply missions.

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  Decoded: How severe COVID-19 patients develop low blood oxygen levels

  August 21, 2020 16:54 IST

  The pilot study of 18 patients helps explain how COVID-19 behaves differently than classic acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in which lung inflammation leads to leaky blood vessels in the organ.

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  Researchers developing kit that will differentiate various types of coronavirus infection

  August 21, 2020 14:45 IST

  The Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, with the support of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a body under the DST, has initiated a research with the detection of a target protein using bioinformatics tool against which the diagnostic kit has to be developed.

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  Scientists recommend at least 40 per cent humidity in public buildings to curb COVID-19 spread

  August 21, 2020 12:12 IST

  The researchers, including those from CSIR National Physical Laboratory in New Delhi, said in order to contain the pandemic, it is extremely important to implement standards for indoor air humidity in rooms with many people, such as hospitals, open-plan offices, or public transport.

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  Chandrayaan-2 completes 1 year around Moon, ISRO says adequate fuel for 7 more years

  August 20, 2020 22:01 IST

  India’s second lunar mission Chandrayaan-2 completed one year in orbit around the moon on Thursday and all instruments are currently performing well and there is adequate onboard fuel to keep it operational for about seven more years.

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  Scientists dispel coronavirus mutation fears, say ’Malaysia strain’ no cause for concern

  August 20, 2020 21:15 IST

  The mutant form of the novel coronavirus reported from Malaysia as being “10 times more infectious” is not a concern for India as it is widely prevalent here and isn’t any more virulent than the strain originating in Wuhan, says, scientists.

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  Mysterious 'heartbeat' detected from cosmic gas cloud, in sync with a neighboring black hole

  August 20, 2020 17:47 IST

  Scientists have found an unusual, mysterious gamma-ray "heartbeat" that appears to be in sync with a neighboring black hole. The cloud "beats" in rhythm with a miniature black hole located roughly 100 light-years away, suggesting the objects are connected in some way.

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  Ban on import of communication satellites opens up opportunity: ISRO chief

  August 20, 2020 14:45 IST

  The government's decision to ban import of communication satellites throws up huge opportunity for private players, said K. Sivan, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary, Department of Space.

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  Scientists on Arctic mission make unplanned detour to pole

  August 20, 2020 10:56 IST

  A German icebreaker carrying scientists on a year-long international expedition in the high Arctic has reached the North Pole, after making an unplanned detour there due to lighter-than-usual sea ice conditions.  

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  Mass extinction on earth caused due to exploding stars

  August 20, 2020 9:51 IST

  A new study reveals that brutal cosmic rays from Supernovae could be the reason behind at least one mass extinction event. According to the researchers, finding certain radioactive isotopes in Earth's rock record could confirm this scenario.

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  Surface structure of coronavirus decoded, findings may aid vaccine development

  August 19, 2020 18:12 IST

  Sugar-like molecules on the surface of the novel coronavirus create a "kind of protective coat" that hides it from the host's neutralising antibodies, according to a study that may help develop new vaccines and therapeutics against COVID-19. 

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  Scientists decode immune system changes in children with rare COVID-19 related syndrome

  August 19, 2020 14:16 IST

  According to the researchers, including those from King's College London in the UK, the rare disease, referred to as paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS-TS), has emerged in a small number of children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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  High humidity can extend lifetime of virus-laden aerosol droplets: Study

  August 19, 2020 13:06 IST

  The novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread through natural respiratory activities, such as breathing, talking and coughing, but little is known about how the virus is transported through the air, the researchers said.

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  SUV-sized asteroid passes by Earth, above southern Indian Ocean

  August 19, 2020 11:54 IST

  At roughly 10 to 20 feet (3 to 6 meters) across, asteroid 2020 QG is very small by asteroid standards: If it had actually been on an impact trajectory, it would likely have become a fireball as it broke up in Earth's atmosphere, which happens several times a year.

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  How COVID-19 smell, taste loss differs from common cold decoded

  August 19, 2020 11:21 IST

  The findings, published in the journal Rhinology, lend weight to the theory that COVID-19 infects the brain and central nervous system.

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  NASA confirms dent in Earth's magnetic field splitting into two

  August 19, 2020 10:45 IST

  ​The protective magnetic field around Earth is in the process of splitting into two, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has discovered. This small but evolving dent in the magnetic field can cause big headaches for satellites.

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  When and how the whole universe will come to an end? Read on to find out

  August 19, 2020 10:00 IST

  Humans have always been curious to know how and when the world will come to an end. Interestingly, theoretical physicist Matt Caplan has predicted when the universe will come to its end.

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  Oumuamua, visitor from another solar system, is not made from molecular hydrogen ice. Check details

  August 19, 2020 8:59 IST

  According to a recent study, Oumuamua an extrasolar object is not made from molecular hydrogen ice. Oumuamua was discovered by the University of Hawaii's Pan-STARRS 1 telescope in October 2017. 

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  Scientists warn on flu, COVID: Airborne viruses can spread through dust, non-respiratory particles

  August 18, 2020 16:53 IST

  Influenza viruses can spread through the air on dust, fibres and other microscopic particles, and not just expiratory droplets, according to a study published on Tuesday that has implications for the novel coronavirus transmission.

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  Mild COVID-19 cases can produce strong T cell response, study says

  August 18, 2020 16:02 IST

  The study found that after recovery from COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T cells were triggered, with the strongest response present in individuals who recovered from severe COVID-19.

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  Two existing drugs prevent COVID-19 in human cells: Study

  August 18, 2020 14:04 IST

  According to the study, published in the journal PNAS, both drugs, vacuolin-1 and apilimod, originally developed years ago, target a large enzyme called PIKfyve kinase.

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  Greenland ice sheet passes point of no return due to climate change: Study

  August 17, 2020 13:21 IST

  The finding, published in the journal Nature Communications Earth and Environment, means that Greenland's glaciers have passed a tipping point of sorts, where the snowfall that replenishes the ice sheet each year cannot keep up with the ice that is flowing into the ocean from glaciers.

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  Scientists detect '10 times' more infectious coronavirus strain - D614G

  August 17, 2020 13:07 IST

  D614G - a new strain of the novel coronavirus has been detected by scientists in Malaysia. The new strain is believed to be 10 times more infectious than the novel coronavirus, said Director General of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah in a Facebook post.

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  Rare squirrel spotted at Gangotri National Park in Uttarkashi

  August 17, 2020 12:21 IST

  A rare squirrel, who uses fur of her claw as a parachute, spotted at Gangotri National Park in Uttarkashi. The state's Forest Research Center's survey has seen her in 18 of 13 forest divisions, while Wooly squirrel was considered extinct 70 years ago in IUCN Red List. 

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  Indian scientists make space bricks for lunar habitation

  August 17, 2020 11:19 IST

  The Indian space agency launched two unmanned missions to the moon in 2008 and 2019 as part of its inter-planetary exploration to study the earth's natural satellite, though it failed to land on the lunar surface.

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  Massive lava tubes found on Mars, Moon; can protect from cosmic radiation

  August 17, 2020 8:44 IST

  Researchers have discovered lava tubes underneath the floors of both the moon and mars. According to the study, these tubes are large enough to be the homes of planetary bases as humanity, even more, explores the cosmos.